Cardiff to sign ex-Villa & Everton winger El Ghazi

Cardiff City are set to sign former Aston Villa and Everton winger Anwar El Ghazi.

The Netherlands international is having a medical with the Championship club on Wednesday and is expected to be confirmed as a Bluebirds player within 24 hours.

El Ghazi, 29, is a free agent having had his contract terminated by Bundesliga club Mainz last autumn over a social media post referencing the conflict in Gaza.

Last month a German court ruled El Ghazi was unfairly dismissed by the German club.

Born in the Netherlands, El Ghazi is also qualified for Morocco, but opted to represent the Dutch on the advice of Cristiano Ronaldo. He has two full international caps.

El Ghazi began his club career with Ajax before joining French side Lille in a deal worth more than £6m in 2017.

El Ghazi joined Villa on loan in 2018 before the deal was made permanent, scoring 20 goals in 102 league appearances for the Midlands club.

He was loaned to Everton in January 2022, making only two appearances before returning to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven and then switching to Mainz last September, signing a two-year contract.

Due to his dispute with Mainz, El Ghazi played only four games last season and has not had a competitive outing since 6 October, 2023.

Cardiff will be able to sign the player when his settlement on departure from Mainz is finalised.

His arrival follows the signing of Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Kanga, who has joined on a season long loan.